— (A&B)Super-Upstream Delight Design and Innovative Manufacturing Technology —

Manufacturing Initiative through AM Innovation

Aim for establishment of a design and manufacturing method that maximizes the merits of 3D printers
Research institute
The University of Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute (TIRI), Aspect, Inc., Manufacturing Science and Technology Center, Elysium Co. Ltd.

Background

"AM(Additive Manufacturing ) Technology", widely known as 3D printing, has advantages, such as a short lead time and ability of making a free form. However, there are still several challenges as follows:

  1. Shortage of product ability

    Concrete application cannot be found easily

  2. Shortage of design ability

    There is no design tool using the characteristics of AM technology

  3. Shortage of manufacturing ability

    Economic, productivity and material properties are not good

This project solves these problems and is working on the creation of new manufacturing using AM technology(Figure 1).

Figure 1
(Figure 1)

Goals

  1. Improvement of manufacturing ability

    We are aiming to develop a manufacturing process for high performance plastic having high-strength and high-resistance which can be used for high value-added products such as aerospace, space, medical equipment and sports equipment.

  2. Improvement of product ability

    We aim to propose high function and high designed products and design methods to fit individual bodies.

  3. Improvement of design ability

    We aim to develop a data creation tool which facilitates design of products out of 3D scan data.(Figure 2)

  4. Penetration into society

    We aim to disseminate technology and support regional manufacturing.

(Figure 2)CAD system that reproduces craftsmen's know-how and embodies design special to AM
(Figure 2)CAD system that reproduces craftsmen's know-how and embodies design special to AM

Implementation contents

  1. Improvement of manufacturing ability

    Research on laser sintering process (Figure 3)
    Development of equipment to realize above process
    Search for optimal material properties by cooperation with resin manufacturer

  2. Improvement of product ability

    Design and development of high function and high designed prosthesis for sports
    Improvement of high functionality fitting to individual by cooperation with prosthetic orthotic
    Improvement of functionality and pursuit of aesthetics through cooperation with athletes

  3. Improvement of design ability

    To realize the aforementioned prostheses
    - Extract feature data of scanned data
    - Establish operability that can easily realize know-how of prosthetists

  4. Penetration into society

    Holding seminars, discussing development of new processes, etc.

(Figure 3)Laser sintering
(Figure 3)Laser sintering

Prosthetic leg for Athletics manufactured by AM "Rami"

Prosthetic leg for Athletics manufactured by AM "Rami" (Ver2016)